SACRED chants of Vedic Mantras along with offer of
oblations in the sacred fire filled the air with spiritual vibrations when
ceremonies were held to perform Yajnas for three days from 16th May to
18th May 2005 for the welfare of the world at Brindavan
(Whitefield), Bangalore in the Divine Presence of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai
Baba.

The venue of these ceremonies was Sai Ramesh Krishan
Hall which was beautifully decorated with flowers, plantain and mango
leaves. While four Yajna Kundas were set up on, the dais, one was set up
below the dais in the Hall for the performance of these ceremonies. An
altar was also set up on the dais where Kalashas (sacred vessels) were
placed for worship by the priests. All the Yajnas were conducted by
the priests from the Kollur Mookambika temple, Udipi and Shirdi Sai
Temple, Bangalore.

On the first day, i.e., 16th May 2005, Bhagavan came to
Sai Ramesh Krishan Hall at 7.20 a.m. in a majestic procession comprising
the Veda chanting group of students and the priests who carried the
Poornakumbham led by Nadaswaram musicians. The entire Hall
reverberated with sacred chants from the Vedas as the priests started
making preparations for the conduct of Dhanvantari Homa that was
scheduled for this morning. Before commencing the Yajna, the priests
performed Ganesh Puja, Kalasha Puja and offered other traditional prayers.
At 8.00 a.m., Bhagavan blessed the sacred fire which was placed in the
Yajna Kunda by the priests amidst sacred chants. When the priests started
the performance of the Yajna, Bhagavan sat in His chair near the Yajna
Kunda and blessed the performance of the Yajna. The environment was
surcharged with sacred vibrations as a group of priests seated near the
Yajna Kunda engaged themselves in the performance of the Yajna and another
group of priests seated on the dais chanted Vedic

Mantras. Besides, the students of the Institute sang Bhajans and recited
Mantras. Amidst sacred chants and Nadaswaram music, Poornahuti blessed by
Bhagavan was offered in the Yajna Kunda by the priests at 9.45 a.m. After
this, the priests offered Arati to Bhagavan and received blessings from
Him. Durga Suktam, Mantra Pushpam and other sacred chants continued till
11.00 a.m. when the ceremonies came to a happy conclusion. Prasadam was
distributed to all in the end. Chanting of Vedic Mantras by the
priests and students continued in the afternoon also. After the Vedic
chants, there were Bhajans led by the students of the Institute. The
programme in the afternoon concluded with offer of Arati to Bhagavan at
6.00 p.m. Prasadam was distributed to all in the afternoon also.

On the morning of 17th May 2005, Puja was started by
the priests at 7.00 a.m. with the chanting of Vedic Mantras. Beautiful
decorations were done on the dais with flowers of different colours. The
altar where Kalashas were placed was also aesthetically decorated with
fresh flowers. Three Yajna Kundas which had already been made on the left
side of the dais were also decorated and sanctified by chanting of Mantras
by the priests. Bhagavan came to the Hall at 7.45 a.m. and blessed
the Ritwiks and the sacred Yajna fire. After receiving blessings from
Bhagavan, fire was lit in all the three Yajna Kundas and groups of priests
sat around each Yajna Kunda to perform Rudra Homa, Mrityunjaya Homa and
Durga Homa simultaneously. While the priests offered oblations into the
Yajna Kundas with chanting of Mantras, the Institute students recited
Vedic chants and a group of ladies devotees chanted Lalita Sahasranama.
The Yajnas continued up to 10.00 a.m. sanctifying the environment and
filling the air with sacred vibrations of Divine Name. At the conclusion
of the Yajnas, the priests offered Arati to Bhagavan and received
blessings from Him. Bhagavan also distributed clothes to them. The morning
programme came to a close with Arati to Bhagavan at 10.30 a.m. and
distribution of Prasadam to all. Sudarshan Homa was performed on the
afternoon of 17th May 2005. Before the start of the Yajna, there were
Bhajans led by the Institute students from 4.00 to 4.30 p.m. Bhagavan came
to Sai Ramesh Krishan Hall at 4.30 p.m. and blessed the priests to start
the Yajna. Bhagavan also blessed the sacred fire which was placed in the
Yajna Kunda by the priests. Thereafter, the priests started Vedic chants
appropriate for the performance of Sudarshan Homa and offered oblations
into the Yajna Kunda. The students also continued to recite Vedic Mantras.
At the conclusion of this sacred Yajna, Poornahuti blessed by Bhagavan was
put into the Yajna fire at 8.30 p.m. amidst chanting of Mantras,
sounding of the bell and sacred notes of Nadaswaram music. The programme
concluded at 9.00 p.m. with offer of Mangalarati to Bhagavan.

The Yajna ceremonies started on the morning of 16th May
2005 concluded with the performance of Shatachandi Homa on the morning of
18th May 2005. A Yajna Kunda for this Yajna was specially constructed in
Sai Ramesh Krishan Hall in front of the dais. Puja was started by the
priests at 6.45 a.m. with prayer to Lord Ganesh. Sacred Yajna fire was lit
amidst chanting of Vedic Mantras and auspicious Nadaswaram music at 7.15
a.m. With the blessings of Bhagavan, the priests started the performance
of the Yajna by putting oblations into the sacred fire with the chanting
of Durga Saptashati, Durga Suktam, Sri Suktam, Gayatri Mantra, Sai Gayatri,
etc. Institute students and ladies devotees also joined the chanting of
sacred Mantras. The Yajna continued in this way for nearly three hours. At
10.25 Poornahuti material blessed by Bhagavan was put into the Yajna fire
amidst chanting of Vedic Mantras, Nadaswaram music and ringing of the
Mandir bell. Chanting of Mantras continued for some time after this. At
10.50 a.m. Mangalarati was offered to Bhagavan by the priests. Bhagavan
showered His blessings on them and distributed clothes to them. After the
performance of the Yajna, renowned singers Smt. Parveen Sultana and
her husband Ustad Dilshad Khan sang Bhajans in praise of Devi and Bhagavan
Baba.

The
programme concluded with offer of Arati to Bhagavan at 11.20 a.m. Prasadam
was distributed to all in the end.